Today, the NFL begins another long journey toward Super Bowl glory, and the opening game offers a fitting reminder of where every team ultimately wants to be. Tonight, the defending champion Seattle Seahawks will host the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX, giving both teams their first opportunity to take a step toward another championship — and another piece of championship jewelry.
For Seattle, the goal is a third Super Bowl title. The Seahawks enter the season as defending champions after going 14-3 in the regular season and finishing with 17 total victories, including the playoffs. They capped that run with a 29-13 victory over New England in February.
The Seahawks received their second-ever Super Bowl rings in June, and the elaborate jewelry is almost a championship storybook in miniature. Designed by Jason of Beverly Hills, the ring features 50 brilliant white diamonds surrounding the Seahawks logo, commemorating the franchise's 50th NFL season. Two Lombardi Trophies sit behind the logo, representing Seattle's Super Bowl victories.
The ring's most surprising feature is a tiny 12 flag button. Press it and diamond-covered arches inspired by Lumen Field spring outward to reveal the words “WORLD CHAMPIONS.” The theme of “12” — a tribute to Seattle’s famously passionate fan base, known as “The 12s” or the “12th Man” — appears throughout the design, including 12 jeweled feathers on the underside. The ring's top can even be removed and worn as a pendant, while a hidden piece of game-used football leather is preserved inside. “17 WINS” is engraved within the shank.
For New England, tonight begins the pursuit of a seventh Super Bowl championship. The Patriots' most recent championship ring, awarded in 2019 after their Super Bowl LIII victory over the Los Angeles Rams, remains one of the most spectacular examples of championship jewelry ever created.
Designed by Jostens, the 10-karat-gold ring contains an average of 422 diamonds totaling 8.25 carats, plus 20 blue sapphires weighing 1.60 carats. Six Lombardi Trophies are represented by marquise-cut diamonds surrounded by 123 round diamonds, while another 108 pavé diamonds symbolize the 108 practices held during the championship season.
The Patriots face formidable headwinds in their quest for another ring. Meanwhile, Seattle begins its title defense with expectations tempered by a competitive NFC West. Current preseason rankings place the Los Angeles Rams at or near the top of the Super Bowl field, with Buffalo, Seattle, Philadelphia and Baltimore among the other highly regarded contenders.
Credits: Seahawks ring images courtesy of Jason of Beverly Hills. Patriots ring image courtesy of Jostens.